Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile in Folkestone and Hythe during February 2024, accounting for 46.8% of all reported crimes. With 329 incidents recorded, this category significantly outpaced other types of crime, including anti-social behaviour (12.1%) and criminal damage and arson (8.4%). The overall crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents was 11.3% below the UK average of 7.1, reflecting a generally lower level of criminal activity compared to the national picture. However, the high proportion of violent crime—16% above the UK average for this category—suggests that local factors, such as the area's proximity to major transport routes and the presence of transient populations, may play a role in sustaining these figures. Seasonal patterns also appear to influence crime trends, with February's low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull potentially contributing to a reduction in property-related offences. Despite this, the dominance of violent crime underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where such incidents are most frequently reported, particularly in the town centre and surrounding residential zones. The relatively low rates of shoplifting, vehicle crime, and burglary compared to the UK average indicate that the area's economic profile and geographical characteristics may help mitigate certain types of criminal activity. As the weather improves and spring approaches, it will be important to monitor whether the current trends in violent crime persist or begin to shift in response to changing environmental and social conditions.

February 2024 saw a sharp rise in robbery, with cases increasing by 400% from one to five incidents. This spike, while small in absolute terms, highlights a potential shift in criminal activity patterns during the winter months. Concurrently, drug-related offences rose by 52.6%, from 19 to 29 cases, indicating a possible increase in substance-related crime. In contrast, shoplifting and bicycle theft both fell significantly, with shoplifting dropping by 38.8% and bicycle theft declining by 57.1%. These reductions may be linked to seasonal factors, such as fewer tourists and lower foot traffic in retail areas. Violent crime remains the dominant category, with 329 incidents reported—16% above the UK average for this type of offence. This suggests that localised factors, such as the area's coastal demographics and transient population, may contribute to the persistence of violent crime despite the overall decline in total incidents.

Folkestone and Hythe's crime rate in February 2024 fell to 6.3 per 1,000 residents, a 9.2% drop from the previous month's rate of 6.9. This decline aligns with a general trend observed in winter months, when outdoor activity diminishes and public spaces see fewer visitors. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 24 crimes per day, a figure that reflects both the total crime count and the 29-day duration of February. When scaled to the population of 112,411, this translates to one reported crime for every 160 residents over the course of the month. While this exposure rate is lower than the UK average, the localised nature of crime—particularly in concentrated areas such as the town centre—suggests that certain neighbourhoods may experience higher concentrations of specific offences. The reduction in overall crime appears consistent with seasonal patterns, though it remains to be seen whether this trend persists as outdoor activity resumes with the arrival of spring.